EVENTS & FESTIVALS
Snowfest
The Les Cheneaux Islands Snowsfest is always celebrated in the month of February. The celebration weekend starts on Friday through Sunday. There is a different theme every year and celebrated with snow sculptures, fishing tournament, children’s cardboard sled races, children’s games, craft show, and fireworks. These are just a few of the activities to enjoy that weekend! Snowsfest draws a crowd from all over Michigan and points out-of-state and sometimes different countries! Profits from the Snowsfest are used to fund the Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce activities during the year.
Annual Aldo Leopold Festival
- (May 31st - July 2nd, registration begins in March))
The Aldo Leopold Festival began in 2014 and is celebrated the first weekend in June with the Hessel School House/Avery Arts and Nature Learning Center as its headquarters (www.hesselschoolhouse.net) Each year activities, expert presentations, kayaking, and hikes are offered covering the beautiful wilderness and nature in the easter Upper Peninsula and Les Cheneaux Islands from birds to orchids and wild flowers to dragon flies, insects and much more.
The event not only honors Aldo Leopold’s contributions to protecting wilderness areas for future generations, but also enhances our own understanding, appreciation, and awe of the natural world we live in. Aldo Leopold, (1887-1948) considered one of the fathers of the conservation movement, spent several summers growing up on Marquette Island in the early 1900’s where he began to develop his life-long interest and career in the natural world and wilderness of America. He is one of the founders of The Wilderness Society (1935) (www.wilderness.org) dedicated to preserving the ‘wild lands’ in America.
Independence Day Parade
- (July 4th)
Les Cheneaux Independence Day celebrations get bigger and better every year, to the delight of many enthusiastic spectators. Scores of volunteers provide children’s games, concession sales, parade, and many other activities.The Ambulance Corps and Volunteer Fire Department generate large crowds during their demonstrations and vehicles displayed throughout the parade route.The evening is always followed by a fireworks display and grand finale over Cedarville Bay!
Antiques Wooden Boat Show
- (2nd Saturday of August)
The Les Cheneaux Historical Association is the proud sponsor of the Annual Antique Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts. Held annually on the 2nd Saturday in August, visitors and residents alike enjoy this event with its beautiful wooden boats, quality artist’s wares, dockside traders, and concessions. The show continues to promote wooden boat building & restoration which is an integral part of the maritime history in our area.The proceeds from the annual show enable the Historical Association to maintain the Historical & Maritime Museums in Cedarville.
Market in the Park
- (First Saturday of each month, June - September 10am - 2pm)
The Les Cheneaux Historical Association is the proud sponsor of the Annual Antique Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts. Held annually on the 2nd Saturday in August, visitors and residents alike enjoy this event with its beautiful wooden boats, quality artist’s wares, dockside traders, and concessions. The show continues to promote wooden boat building & restoration which is an integral part of the maritime history in our area.The proceeds from the annual show enable the Historical Association to maintain the Historical & Maritime Museums in Cedarville.